Cooking for children and adults

Question

Random question here...I don't have a family, there is just me and my boyfriend, but I was just wondering after reading someone else's question.

Do most people who have kids made separate meals for themselves and their kids, and eat at different times? If so, why?

When I was brought up, my whole family always ate the same thing together at the table (no TV dinners allowed!). Sure it was quite early, but I think thats a sacrifice I would make. Although I suppose when they are really young the might be eating like mashed carrots or something, so in that case I'd make something different for the adults!

Answer 1

we all eat at table at same time. same meal unless its something too spicy. then i cook same meal but separate some before adding seasoning.

Answer 2

most people take the easy option and give their kids cheap dinners in front of the telly.I woulnt. They would eat what we eat and i would make them sit at a table.

Answer 3

I have this rule in the home.

That we all eat at the dining room table at the same time, and usually we would eat the same food, but when eating something that the kids will obviously not like, I do make something different for them.

Like last night we had chicken biryani which my 7 year old grandson loved so much that e had three helpings, but my 2 year old grandson could just not get down... So i made him a hot dog instead....

Answer 4

we always eat together and i always try and cook us all the same meals but as i experiment alot with food i sometimes cook things that my children wont touch, so i cook them something different, its just about individual tastes, take lastnight i cooked spag bol, my son wont eat mince so made him a sauce with loads of veg hidden in it and mixed it with his pasta

Answer 5

I eat at different times because my daughter gets hungry around 4.30 and my husband doesn't get home from work till 5.30-6pm.

I wouldn't have my 3 year old waiting that long so i feed her when she's hungry and i eat with my husband in peace while the wee one one is playing around.

I suppose it's what works for every individual but i'm not a strict person that thinks the TV should be off when having a meal.

Answer 6

When all the kids were home (2 oldest now out on their own) and the youngest was a toddler, we all ate together and in most cases, the same meal.  Now I would mash things for the little guy or if we were having something that he was incapable of eating (due to lack of teeth or something), then I'd give him the veggies we were eating and add a toddler meal for him.  But most of the time, he ate what we ate.  I think it's better for young kids to eat from the family table as long as an eye is kept towards good nutrition.  

If we were having spagetti or linguine, I'd cook a small batch of easier to handle elbow macaroni or small pasta so he could work on it himself.  I got one of the handheld blenders and chopped or pureed a lot of things for him.  

I think depending on pre-prepared meals for kids severly limits their food choices, exposes them to too much salt and chemicals vs home cooked foods.  

If the little guy was hungry before dinner time, I'd sneak in a good snack like veggies, fruit, maybe a little cheese and crackers a couple of hours before.  Nothing too much but enough to keep that little tummy happy!  Heck, I still do it!  If the now tween is hungry while I'm making dinner, I just give him some veggies or fruit and he's happy.  

Answer 7

nope. You eat whats at the table or don't eat at all!

Answer 8

I think kids get something different because at a young age they are very fussy with food, I think as they get older and start nursery they do become more experimental with food its just a natural progression.  I also like to eat later (about 7ish) and thats my daughters bedtime.  So its just easier for me that way, when my dad makes meals we all sit down together but she doesn't eat it, that may or maynot be my fault but whats the big deal, as long as shes fed, healthy and happy, thats all that matters

Answer 9

We always ate dinner (6 p.m.) together - even when the littles were in high chairs!  And usually the same foods too.  I like sitting down together and we still make the effort at the weekends when everyone is around.

Answer 10

You cook not spicy foods.